NESN.com » Jeff Pelletierhttp://nesn.com
Sports News | Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, CelticsSun, 02 Aug 2015 18:26:45 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/b78db9f8695b57fe74bb269068791bb4?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png » Jeff Pelletierhttp://nesn.com
New Media Tech’s Test Posthttp://nesn.com/2013/01/new-media-techs-test-post/
http://nesn.com/2013/01/new-media-techs-test-post/#commentsMon, 07 Jan 2013 21:39:31 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=121454]]>I’m checking to see whether Facebook will use the image that’s in the post, or the featured image.Filed under: Jeff Pelletier]]>http://nesn.com/2013/01/new-media-techs-test-post/feed/00jkereakoBill BelichickRed Sox Minor Leaguers Likely to Make Impact in Majorshttp://nesn.com/2010/03/red-sox-minor-leaguers-likely-to-make-impact-in-majors/
http://nesn.com/2010/03/red-sox-minor-leaguers-likely-to-make-impact-in-majors/#commentsSat, 13 Mar 2010 12:26:00 +0000http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/red-sox-minor-leaguers-likely-to-make-impact-in-majors/Read More »]]> When the Boston Red Sox head north in less than a month with a squad of 25 players, many other players in the organization will be heading to places such as Rhode Island and Maine. A few will have a possible Boston cameo in their future.

In 2009, minor leaguers Clay Buchholz and Josh Reddick were among the notable players the Red Sox' farm system who made an impact at the major league level. Buchholz is a full-fledged member of the big league team now, while Reddick headlines the list of Boston minor leaguers likely to contribute as the season continues.

Reddick, 23, flashed strong power in Double-A Portland before receiving the call to the major leagues. Though his overall numbers both in the majors and later in Triple-A Pawtucket were not up to par, he still remains a top prospect that has the potential to take over for J.D. Drew once his contract expires following the 2011 season. For 2010, Reddick will serve as the first option up from the minor leagues if and when Boston needs help in the outfield.

Right now, it is unlikely that Tug Hulett, Angel Sanchez or Jed Lowrie will open the season with the Red Sox. Boston has only four bench spots available, and Bill Hall, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek all have these spots sewed up. However, given the comments out of camp, Lowell is unlikely to finish the season as a member of Boston. When that bench opening arises, expect Hulet, Sanchez or Lowrie to fill the empty spot, enabling Boston to use Hall in other areas rather than extend his capabilities to play short.

Hulett was claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Royals this offseason. The 27-year-old has strong plate discipline, but as a second baseman, there are questions if his defense will be up to snuff enough to beat out the other candidates to join Boston.

One of the other candidates, Angel Sanchez, signed as a minor league free agent with the club. The 26-year-old had a cup of coffee in Kansas City in 2006. He's a strong defender, but there are many questions about his bat. In Toronto's farm system in 2009, he went a long way toward addressing these questions and should be considered the favorite to graduate to the major leagues when a backup infielder is needed.

The 25-year-old Lowrie has a bright future ahead of him once he proves he's fully recovered from wrist issues that have affected him the last two years. He has a lot of talent, but Boston appears committed to giving him full-time duty in Pawtucket so he can get back into a routine of consistent playing time. It's this concept that drops him behind Sanchez in the major league backup infielder category.

On the pitching side of things, Michael Bowden and Junichi Tazawa figure to have the greatest impact of any possible starters.

Bowden, 23, has been one of baseball's top prospects for a while now, although his stature has dropped in recent years. He started one game and relieved in seven last year, and his 9.56 ERA is dragged down by a disastrous relief outing against the Yankees. He's currently trying to make the club as a reliever, but the odds are high he fronts Pawtucket's rotation and gets the call whenever Boston needs a starter or reliever.

Tazawa also saw time in the majors last year, being called upon for four starts and two relief appearances in his first year stateside. He boasts strong command, but still has a ways to go to evolve as a viable rotation option. At just 23, he has plenty of time. The mere fact that he shot through Portland and Pawtucket to reach Boston and pitch 25 1/3 innings is a testament to his talent.

Three other Pawtucket pitchers to keep an eye on are Randor Bierd, Fernando Cabrera and Dustin Richardson. Bierd was acquired from the Orioles prior to the 2009 season for David Pauley and has been converted to a starter after spending most of 2008 with the Orioles as a Rule 5 pick. His stock is rising.

Cabrera, 28, pitched extensively for the Cleveland Indians before joining the Red Sox organization. He made several brief appearances for Boston later in the year and has above-average stuff that he struggles to command at times.

Richardson is likely to be a staple of the Red Sox bullpen for years to come, as the lefty boasts a 92-93 mph fastball and made tremendous strides in 2009. He received a couple innings in September as Boston begins to prepare his integration into the bullpen. While he is in contention for a bullpen spot, the mere fact that he has minor league options in addition to so many other competitors slates him for Pawtucket. He figures to become very friendly with I-95 this year.

Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Don Orsillo, Evan Brunell, Jeff Pelletier, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2010/03/red-sox-minor-leaguers-likely-to-make-impact-in-majors/feed/00nesnstaffRed Sox Minor Leaguers Likely to Make Impact in MajorsRio de Janiero Ready to Party Until 2016http://nesn.com/2009/10/rio-de-janiero-ready-to-party-until-2016/
http://nesn.com/2009/10/rio-de-janiero-ready-to-party-until-2016/#commentsFri, 02 Oct 2009 20:15:00 +0000http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/rio-de-janiero-ready-to-party-until-2016/Read More »]]>Rio de Janiero was selected as the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics. That can only mean one thing: It’s going to be a party.

Combine the spirit of extravagance that makes up Brazil’s Carnival celebrations with the fact that it will be the first South American country to host the games, and the 2016 Summer Olympics are guaranteed to be a good time.

It does raise one question, however: Which is more important to Brazilians — the Olympics or World Cup?

I’ve been in Brazil for over a year now, and have a firsthand look at how soccer isn’t just a game down here. It’s a way of life.

In Belo Horizonte, where I am, there are two large stadiums, where local Brazilian teams play each other frequently. While I haven’t been to a match yet, driving by the stadiums on game day can be a hazard, to put it lightly. The streets are filled with fans of opposing teams, and everyone — and I mean everyone — wears his team colors. The rivalries are passionate enough to warrant having fans tailgate on opposite sides of the stadium — if they didn’t, riots almost certainly would ensue.

I was lucky enough to be visiting Brazil in 2006 during the FIFA World Cup. Getting to see Brazilians’ involvement with the World Cup in person is a truly unique experience. On days when Brazil has a game in the World Cup, businesses shut down. It’s basically a national holiday. The only establishments that stay open are bars and restaurants, where everyone congregates and the crowds spill out into the streets. Smart restaurant managers have patio furniture in the street to compensate for the overflow of customers.

The love of soccer (or “football”) in Brazil is unreal. I’ve tried going to the local basketball court plenty of times over the last year, and I’ve been able to play once. One time. Every other time, I’ve found the court with two plastic soccer goals at either end under the hoops, and the court filled with kids playing soccer.

The love of this game is going to be tough to match.

While the Brazilians’ passion for soccer and the World Cup is an ongoing affair, the 2016 Summer Olympics will be a one-shot deal, and the first of its kind for Brazil. Sort of like a solitary Carnival on steroids. In fact, it’s only been about 30 minutes since the announcement, and the beaches of Rio are already packed with people celebrating.

The way they party down here, the hangover may just last until 2016.

Posted in Jeff Pelletier, NESN Newswire, NESN.com Features, Top Stories ]]>http://nesn.com/2009/10/rio-de-janiero-ready-to-party-until-2016/feed/00nesnstaffRio de Janiero Ready to Party Until 2016Rio de Janiero Ready to Party Until 2016